Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know this is the Red Tail Boa forum but I thought I might get a quicker response by posting here than in the Dumerils forum

My young Dumerils Boa is making little puff sounds when breathing and her jaw is more open than I think it should be. I know these can be symptoms of mouth rot or a respiratory infection, but she is also within days of a shed. Could the puffy breathing be connecting with the immenant shed or should I be truly concerned about this snake's health?

It's possible it's from the pending shed, but the open mouth breathing makes me think not. I'd get her to a vets as soon as you can. In the mean time bump up her temps throughout the tank to 90-92 and bump up the humidity. Good luck with her.

Quig

My snake starts opening it's mouth and little click noises can be heard when he breaths sometimes. As soon as the shed happens it goes away.

However if it's raising its head up and keeping it up or there are signs of mucous, definetly take it to a vet.

- Damian

Thanks for your responses. I see no signs of any discharges from the mouth, and she does not keep her head up at all. If there was not a shed coming in the next couple days I would definitely go for the vet, but i'm just not sure. If her condition worsens at all though I will take her for treatment.

Hopefully everything willl be back to normal after the shed.